By Dane Waters
In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience significant differences in health indicators when compared to non-Indigenous people. This “gap” has driven focus under the “Closing the Gap” program to ensure that all Australians experience equality in health and life expectancy by 2031. We at HCR want to see all people flourish and live long and healthy lives which is why we are so passionate about walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to help close this gap. Community media can be an important tool to raise Aboriginal* voices and why we are training and supporting Aboriginal organisations to help drive positive changes to ensure all experience equality in health. The latest “report card” has shown some progress, however, clearly shows we still have a way to go to reach equality. Life expectancy is often used as a measure that people are enjoying long and healthy lives. In July 2022, nationally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are expected to live to 71.6 years for males (whereas 80.2 years for non-Indigenous males) and female 75.6 years (83.4 years for non-Indigenous females). This gap has improved since 2005-2007 when the gap was 11.4 years for males (now 8.6 years) and females were 9.6 years (now 7.8 years), however, we are not closing the gap fast enough. We are encouraged by the national dialogue about closing the gap faster and keen to continue to support positive change from the grass roots through community media.
For more about the latest on Closing the Gap, see the annual data report:
*we use Aboriginal as we have been advised it is the preferred term for our local partners in the Mid West, Western Australia, but acknowledge this includes all Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander people.
